Labyrinth sealing device and method of assembly

Abstract

A dynamic labyrinth sealing device which includes a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof and a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof. The stator annular engagement flange and the rotator annular engagement flange have coacting radially extending openings for mechanically interlocking the stator and the rotator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dynamic sealing device for placement between a rotating shaft and a bearing housing containing a fluid lubricant comprising: a) a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof which includes opposed leading and trailing axial surfaces; and   b) a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof which includes opposed leading and trailing axial surfaces, said stator annular engagement flange and said rotator annular engagement flange having coacting radially extending openings formed therein which are dimensioned and configured to facilitate axial juxtaposition of the leading axial surface of said rotator engagement flange and the trailing axial surface of said stator engagement flange through relative rotation of said stator and said rotator during assembly of said dynamic sealing device.   
     
     
       2. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said radially extending openings include an outer radial engagement notch formed in said stator engagement flange and an inner radial engagement notch formed in said rotator engagement flange. 
     
     
       3. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 2, wherein said outer radial engagement notch and said inner radial engagement notch include complementary angled engagement surfaces. 
     
     
       4. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 3, wherein said complementary angled surfaces of said radial engagement notches are dimensioned and configured to facilitate progressive opposed lateral deflection of said engagement flanges. 
     
     
       5. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one annular recess is formed in a radially outer portion of said stator for supporting an elastomeric O-ring between said stator and said bearing housing. 
     
     
       6. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one annular recess is formed in a radially inner portion of said rotator for supporting an elastomeric O-ring between said rotator and said rotating shaft. 
     
     
       7. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one annular groove is formed in said radially inner portion of said stator spaced from said engagement flange thereof for receiving lubricating fluid from said bearing housing. 
     
     
       8. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 7, wherein an axial drainage port is associated with said annular groove. 
     
     
       9. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 8, wherein a radial exhaust slot is formed in said stator to facilitate expulsion of captured contaminants from said sealing device. 
     
     
       10. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one annular groove is formed in said radially outer portion of said rotator spaced from said engagement flange thereof for capturing contaminants drawn into said sealing device from outside said bearing housing. 
     
     
       11. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 1, wherein an annular sealing lip projects from a leading edge of the radially outer portion of said stator for sealingly engaging a leading edge of the radially outer portion of said rotator. 
     
     
       12. A dynamic sealing device for placement between a rotating shaft and a bearing housing containing a fluid lubricant comprising: a) a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof, said stator engagement flange having opposed leading and trailing axial surfaces and including a radial engagement notch having an angled engagement surface thereon; and   b) a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof, said rotator engagement flange having opposed leading and trailing axial surfaces and including a radial engagement notch having an angled engagement surface thereon, said angled engagement surfaces of said radial engagement notches being dimensioned and configured to facilitate progressive opposed lateral deflection of said engagement flanges and effectuate axial juxtaposition of the leading axial surface of said rotator engagement flange and the trailing axial surface of said stator engagement flange, when said stator and rotator are rotated relative to one another during assembly, so as to mechanically interlock said stator and said rotator.   
     
     
       13. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one annular recess is formed in a radially outer portion of said stator for supporting an elastomeric O-ring between said stator and said bearing housing. 
     
     
       14. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one annular recess is formed in a radially inner portion of said rotator for supporting an elastomeric O-ring between said rotator and said rotating shaft. 
     
     
       15. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one annular groove is formed in said radially inner portion of said stator spaced from said engagement flange thereof for receiving lubricating fluid from said bearing housing. 
     
     
       16. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 15, wherein an axial drainage port is associated with said annular groove. 
     
     
       17. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one annular groove is formed in said radially outer portion of said rotator spaced from said engagement flange thereof for capturing contaminants drawn into said sealing device from outside said bearing housing. 
     
     
       18. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 17, wherein a radial exhaust slot is formed in said stator to facilitate expulsion of captured contaminants from said sealing device. 
     
     
       19. A dynamic sealing device as recited in claim 12, wherein an annular sealing lip projects from a leading edge of the radially outer portion of said stator for sealingly engaging a leading edge of the radially outer portion of said rotator. 
     
     
       20. A method of assembling a dynamic sealing device for placement between a rotating shaft and a bearing housing comprising the steps of: a) providing a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof including a radial engagement notch having an angled camming surface;   b) providing a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof including a radial engagement notch having an angled camming surface;   c) placing the angled camming surfaces of said radial engagement notches into abutting contact with one another; and   d) rotating said rotator and said stator relative to one another so as to urge said camming surfaces past one another and progressively move said rotator engagement flange from a first position adjacent an outboard side of said stator engagement flange to a second position in juxtaposition with an inboard side of said stator engagement flange so as to mechanically interlock said stator and said rotator.   
     
     
       21. A dynamic sealing device for placement between a rotating shaft and a bearing housing containing a fluid lubricant comprising: a) a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof; and   b) a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof, said stator annular engagement flange and said rotator annular engagement flange having cooperatively configured radially extending openings formed therein which are adapted to facilitate axial displacement of said rotator engagement flange from an outboard side of said stator engagement flange to an inboard side of said stator engagement flange through relative rotation of said stator and said rotator during assembly of said dynamic sealing device.